Head of Finance - Children & SEND

Hillingdon Council; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Uxbridge is seeking a Head of Finance to lead their Finance Team within the Children and SEND Directorate. This pivotal role involves strategic financial management, budget oversight, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations while supporting the Council’s vision for residents. Ideal candidates will have a CCAB or CIMA qualification with a background in complex organizations, particularly in the public sector.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support and Counselling Services

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior financial management in a complex organization.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing finance teams.
• Strong technical accounting skills and ability to influence decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a Finance Team providing strategic financial support.
• Oversee budget preparation and monitoring.
• Drive financial planning, forecasting, and modeling.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Financial modelling

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Education

CCAB or CIMA qualification

Job description

About the role

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Head of Finance to join our Service Finance and Business Partnering Division, leading a team of skilled accountants and providing strategic financial leadership to the Children and SEND Directorate.

In this pivotal role, you will shape the directorate’s financial strategy, supporting budget-setting, monitoring, and closure of accounts, while driving transformation and ensuring effective financial planning. You will provide expert advice to senior management, helping to identify efficiencies, mitigate financial risks, and enable informed, evidence-based decision‑making.

As Head of Finance, you will lead on financial modelling for demand‑led services, contribute to the Medium‑Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), and ensure compliance with the Council’s financial regulations. You will also play a key role in developing the Council’s Corporate Finance Training and Development Programme, helping to nurture the next generation of finance professionals and foster a culture of excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage a Finance Team, providing strategic financial support to the Children and SEND Directorate.
• Oversee the preparation and monitoring of budgets, ensuring strong financial control, efficiency, and value for money.
• Drive financial planning, forecasting, and modelling to inform long‑term strategy and transformation initiatives.
• Provide high‑quality financial advice to senior leaders, enabling robust decision‑making and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Regulations, Standing Orders, and statutory accounting requirements.
• Support the delivery of the Council’s Medium‑Term Financial Strategy and annual budget process.
• Lead the closure of directorate accounts and contribute to the external audit process.
• Develop effective working relationships across the Council and with external stakeholders, including auditors and government bodies.
• Promote a culture of accountability and self‑service budget management across services.
• Support and coordinate the Corporate Finance training and apprenticeship programmes.

About you

You’ll be an inspirational leader and strategic thinker, with proven experience in senior financial management within a complex organisation – ideally in the public sector. You’ll combine strong technical accounting skills with the ability to influence, challenge, and guide decision‑making at the highest levels.

You should also have:

• A CCAB or CIMA qualification (or equivalent) with post‑qualification experience in a senior finance role.
• A track record of leading and developing high‑performing finance teams.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting transformation programmes and identifying opportunities for efficiencies.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering high‑quality financial services that support the Council’s Residents First vision.

Why join us?

At Hillingdon, we are committed to delivering a modern, forward‑thinking finance service that underpins the effective delivery of services to our residents. As part of our Corporate Finance leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping financial strategy and driving service improvement, while developing your professional expertise in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We offer an inclusive and flexible workplace, continuous professional development, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the borough’s future.

Ready to lead, influence, and deliver meaningful change? Apply today and help shape the financial future of Hillingdon’s Children and SEND services.

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work‑life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36‑hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non‑casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco‑friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24‑hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre‑employment screening:

• Basic DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• 3 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised. It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.